Joe Marjoram, a former submariner, has submitted a white paper to this week's full council meeting calling on the council to ask the Defence Secretary for a future vessel to be named Ark Royal, while Valerie Kendall is leading a campaign for the ship's bell to be given a permanent home in Leeds.

Calverley and Farsley councillor Marjoram said:

"The links between Leeds and the three Ark Royals the Navy has possessed since 1941 have been great for the city.

"The ship was given the Freedom of the City in 1973 and the ship's company has marched through Leeds many times since then. As a former naval officer, I think it would be great if this history could be continued with a new Navy vessel named Ark Royal, ensuring the close links between our city and the people who safeguard our freedom can continue for many years to come."

Roundhay councillor Kendall added:

"The response over the past couple of weeks to my campaign to secure the ship's bell of the Ark Royal for the city of Leeds has been fantastic.

"The ship's bell is the traditional heart of a ship, regulating the daily rhythm of a vessel, so if Leeds can provide a permanent home for such a potent symbol of the ship it would be a fitting tribute both to those who have served on the ships that have borne the name Ark Royal, while at the same time commemorating the extraordinary efforts of the people of Leeds in raising so much money in one week, in wartime, all those years ago."

The wartime 'adoption' of aeroplanes and ships by towns and cities was commonplace, but the bond between Leeds and the Ark Royal has been especially strong and enduring since the city 'adopted' the third Ark Royal in 1941.

One week after the city adopted the Ark Royal the ship was torpedoed and sunk, prompting the people of the city to collect, in one week, over £9m for a replacement – a sum equivalent to about £267m today.What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.